The Mamba Mentality: How Kobe Bryant Ruled the NBA for 20 Years

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The morning of January 26th, 2020 was a typical foggy, winter morning for the sleepy town of Calabasas, near Los Angeles. A helicopter crash was the last thing the residents expected that fateful day and to find that one of the passengers was the LA Lakers basketball legend, Kobe Bryant is something now could’ve imagined. Bryant and his daughter’s sudden and tragic demise sent shockwaves across the sporting world and left the NBA fraternity shell shocked.

Kobe was a colossal figure in not just the NBA but across the world where basketball is played. Reuters dubbing him “arguably the best player of his generation” is a testament to his skills and sheer class. One of the hallmarks of Kobe’s game was his laser-sharp focus on the game and opponents. His desire for perfection made him the legend he is today but he repeatedly credited his “Mamba Mentality” for his insane success.

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Mamba Mentality: The Background

In 2003, Kobe Bryant faced a tough year as he was arrested after a woman, a hotel clerk based in Eagle, Colorado, filed a complaint about him. The case devastated Kobe as it tarnished his positive image and as a result, all his sponsors except Nike dropped him and canceled their affiliations. After the case was closed and a subsequent lawsuit settled outside the court, Kobe gave himself the nickname, “The Black Mamba” and subsequently adopted the “Mamba Mentality.”

The name Black Mamba is a direct reference to the venomous African snake. Kobe always cited a desire for his basketball skills to mimic the snake’s ability to “strike with 99% accuracy, at maximum speed, and in rapid succession.” Kobe described Mamba Mentality as related to 5 factors that can make you a better athlete and a better person. They are honesty, detachment, optimism, passion and absolute fearlessness. Let’s go through each element in detail and see what professionals across every business vertical can learn from him.

Honesty

Kobe has always been a player who was being honest and loyal to his team. He had many golden opportunities to join another team in the NBA and for a greater remuneration package, but he remained with the LA Lakers throughout his career. You may call him a fool, but that’s what honest and sincere people are always as they are not selfish and think of others rather than reaping benefits for themselves.

Detachment

The passion with which Kobe played all these years in the NBA is known by all. But not everyone is aware of the fact that it is also about prioritizing your professional goals over work-life balance. It is about playing without fear and mastering your game with only one desire; to win and nothing else. And dominate the proceedings right away. Kobe sacrificed his sleep to be with his family and train/exercise hard, sometimes thrice a day to be the Numero Uno player in the NBA.

Optimism

Kobe remained optimistic about winning a game or the NBA title even in dire scenarios. Being a champion five times and runner up on two occasions, he knew how it feels to lose after working so hard during the entire season. That’s why he remained optimistic and motivated other members in the team throughout the games and season to bring their A-game so that they don’t have any regrets later on.

Passion

Kobe was a player who played every game with the same enthusiasm and passion as if he is playing a final game of the playoffs or a rookie trying to prove his mettle. Spencer Dinwiddie of Brooklyn Nets summed up his intensity in Mamba Mentality this way, “The mentality of consistent work and pushing through boundaries and playing through injury and never giving up, never falling and just continuing to push through.”

Fearlessness

Whether it was his feud with Shaquille O’ Neal during his eight seasons at LA Lakers or playing against tough opponents, Kobe was always fearless. And he took every opponent head-on with an attitude that some termed as rash or rude, but that’s how Kobe earned his reputation. As a thorough professional, Kobe is one of the greatest players the sport has seen and has been a tale of immense focus, grit and determination against all the odds.

Final Word

Mamba Mentality touched the hearts of millions of people around the world, and in the NBA, players benefited greatly by applying it to their game. In June 2016, when Cleveland Cavaliers won their first NBA title, their point guard Kyrie Irving told the reporters after the game, “That moment right there happened, and I was like ‘ok, I’m fine. And all I was thinking about in the back of my mind was Mamba mentality. Just Mamba mentality, that’s all I was thinking.”

Kobe Bryant’s story and focus on the game in and out of the court, even after retirement, was nothing short of extraordinary. One of the qualities that have made Kobe so successful, and always will, is his attention to detail. He always used to tell his teammates that if you want to succeed, you have to prepare and train a lot. Athletes who have achieved insane success like Kobe himself and Michael Phelps in swimming, for example, you need to think and act like them.

Related Read: 7 Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Michael Phelps

If you also admire Kobe and think that you can add something valuable to this blog, you are more than welcome. If you want to enquire something from me or want to offer your feedback, please use the comments section below.

 


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